AmCham CZ: GE invests in ČVUT

(Česká verze v článku.) To enter into the global economic elite, the Czech Republic will need to become better at turning Czech ideas into Czech exports. Today's announcement of an agreement between CVUT and GE Aviation builds the capacity to do just that.

GE DEAL WITH ČVUT PROPELS SCHOOL TO UNIQUE POSITION IN EU

GE Aviation and Czech Technical University (ČVUT) have agreed to cooperate on research to develop advanced turboprop engines and aviation manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, that will allow GE to conquer new markets and ČVUT to hold a unique position in the field for a decade or more.

When the agreement is complete, ČVUT will have four ground cells for testing an advanced turboprop engine and one airplane that will serve as a flying test cell. The first ground cell is up and running. GE will also contribute know-how. ČVUT will receive a grant of CZK 950 million from the Czech government.

Prime Minister Babiš on agreement:

'The universities of the Czech Republic can produce world-class research. Our labor force has a proven track record with high tech production. The government’s job is to find companies that can connect those capabilities to develop premium products that increase our exports and provide higher wage employment to communities throughout the country. My government plans to focus on public and private investment that help our universities deliver new technologies that will open new markets for us. That is why I voted for the incentives for CVUT and GE Aviation to develop the turboprop engine, and why I will be pushing my government to find other investments that can deliver similar results.'

Prof. Ing. Michael Valášek, DrSc., Dean, Engineering Faculty, ČVUT:

"This agreement is going to enable our researchers to study data in unprecedented ways. This opens up entirely new paths of possible scientific knowledge, and will contribute to a new generation of students who can advance this country's skills in aviation."

Milan Šlapák, ATP Country Director, GE Aviation:

"We are providing expertise and know-how at a scale and level that we have never done with any university partner before. The infrastructure and research capacity that CVUT will put into place will turn it into a magnet for research in the industry, and help increase the country's competitiveness."

AmCham Czech Republic view:

This investment represents the future of Czech industry: universities contributing to a company's competitive advantage and companies helping to build universities’ research capabilities. That is what it is going to take for us to be a top ten EU economy, and to close the wage gap with other advanced global economies. The government deserves a great deal of credit for making this a priority, and Amcham is going to do what it can to make this project a major success, and that it is the first of many successful research & development projects.